Chapter 15 Charles Darwin Flashcards
What are the 7 evidences of Evolution?
- Fossil Record
- Current Evolution/Natural Selection
- Comparative Anatomy
- Comparative Biochemistry
- Comparative Embryology
- Artificial Selection
- Geographic Distribution of Animals
Definition of Fossil Record
The remains of organisms (bones, teeth, shells, etc.) that are found in the different layers of rock that have changed through time
Example of Fossil Record
Evidence collected in ancient rock layers indicate that prehistoric horses were once smaller than they are today
Definition of Current Evolution/Natural Selection
Experiments conducted in nature and society today demonstrate that traits in populations of organisms can change through time, depending on the traits that are best suited for the environment
Example of Current Evolution/Natural Selection
Blue Moon Butterflies developed resistance to bacteria that nearly wiped out all of the males in a short period of time. Surviving males that had the gene for the bacteria resistance reproduced with the females to sustain the Blue Moon Butterfly population, now with resistance
Definition of Comparative Anatomy
The study of similar body parts among organisms of different species with a backbone (vertebrates) to determine how they are related
Example of Comparative Anatomy
Homologous Structures
Vestigial Structures
Homologous Structures
Structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues
Vestigial Structures
organ that serves no useful function in an organism
Definition of Comparative Biochemistry
Studying common genes in different species of organisms that control cellular functions
Examples of Comparative Biochemistry
During early development, fish and mammals have pharyngeal arches, which become different structures in each as they grow (gill apparatus in fish and jaws and ears in mammals)
Definition of Artificial Selection
When nature provides genetic variation, but humans choose to breed organisms who possess traits that they prefer
Example of Artificial Selection
Breeding race horses for speed; breeding two different dog breeds together to create a designer breed; selecting for seedless fruits(grapes and watermelon)
Definition of Geographic Distribution of Animals
The existence of similar yet different species on different geographical locations. Darwin suggested that these species descended with modification
Example of Geographic Distribution of Animals
13 slightly different species of finches were collected from different islands with different environmental conditions oft the Galapagos Islands
Darwin’s Theory
Natural selection as the mechanism of evolution
Descent with modification
Each species has descended, with changes, from other species over time
Common descent
All - living and extinct - were derived from common ancestors. Therefore, a single”tree of life” links all living things
What is Evolution?
central theme in biology
T. Zobzhansky: “Nothing in biology makes sense except on the light of evolution”
What are the four core principles of evolution?
- All life is linked through a common ancestor
- Populations of living things change over time/evolve
- The environmental influences this change (natural selection) so that advantageous traits become more common in the population
- The advantageous traits become more common in population
When was Darwin born?
February 12, 1809
What did he go on for a a 5 year voyage across the world
HMS Beagle 13-15 around the 5 year voyage
Patterns of Diversity
plants and animals seemed remarkably well suited to whatever environment they inhabited
The Galapagos Islands
- 1000 km west of South America
- Islands had different climates
